The Beta Band were a British musical group who received much critical accla… Read Full Bio ↴The Beta Band were a British musical group who received much critical acclaim and have achieved cult status amongst avid followers of the underground and experimental music scene. Their style was described as being "folktronica", a blend of folk, electronic, rock, trip hop, and experimental jamming.

Quiet
Beta Band Lyrics

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There's a quiet little man
and he sits at his window
Doesn't make a sound
but he watches where the wind blows
Wants to go outside
fears wouldn't let him
[Force] a little smile
and the fears come rolling

la la bum bum dum dum dum dum

You can go outside where the sun & the people blind you
You can go outside where the love of the people finds you - it will find you

When he walks through the maze
in the circles of his back place
[White? One?] shoe on his roof
is still tied at the shoelace
He will [never curse] again
all the days on his home spent

Nailing all the doors
& jumping through the window

Overall Meaning

The Beta Band’s “Quiet” is a song about a person who is confined to their home due to their fears. The lyrics introduce the listener to “a quiet little man” who watches the world outside from his window. He wants to go outside but his fears are holding him back. The lyrics suggest that the man is lonely and isolated; he is a passive observer of life rather than an active participant. The song’s refrain features the words “la la bum bum dum dum dum dum” which adds to the lonesome and melancholic feel of the song.

The lyrics then switch to the second person when they tell the listener that “you can go outside where the sun & the people blind you” or where “the love of the people finds you - it will find you”. This shift in perspective juxtaposes the man’s fear with the listener’s freedom, by presenting a hopeful message to the listener that they can explore and find love in the world outside. However, the lyrics return to the man’s perspective when he walks through the “maze” of his home and reflects on his life spent “nailing all the doors & jumping through the window”. The lyrics conclude with a sense of finality when they suggest that he will “never curse again”.

Overall, “Quiet” paints a poignant picture of a person who is trapped by their own fears but is still hopeful that things will change. The song’s use of repetition and shifts in perspective make the listener empathize with the singer and feel their own sense of hope and uncertainty.

Line by Line Meaning

There's a quiet little man
Referring to a person who is generally introverted and doesn't socialize much.

and he sits at his window
He spends most of his time alone at home and his window maybe his only way to look outside.

Doesn't make a sound
He is not vocal and prefers to keep his thoughts and feelings to himself.

but he watches where the wind blows
Even though he doesn't speak, he is observant of his surroundings and things that are happening around him.

Wants to go outside
He has the desire to step out of his comfort zone and explore the world outside.

fears wouldn't let him
Fears and insecurities are holding him back from doing what he really wants to do.

[Force] a little smile
He tries to put on a smile even though deep down he is feeling unhappy or uncomfortable.

and the fears come rolling
Despite his efforts to be positive, the fears and worries are still present and continue to affect him.

You can go outside where the sun & the people blind you
Going outside can be overwhelming and may expose you to things that can make you feel vulnerable and insignificant.

You can go outside where the love of the people finds you - it will find you
On the other hand, going outside can also offer opportunities to connect with others, receive love and support, and feel accepted.

When he walks through the maze
Referring to navigating through life's challenges and obstacles that can be confusing and stressful.

in the circles of his back place
He may feel stuck or trapped in his current situation or environment.

[White? One?] shoe on his roof
It's unclear what this line means exactly but could possibly refer to a random object that serves as a reminder of something significant in his life.

is still tied at the shoelace
Suggesting that the shoe or object has been on the roof for a long time and hasn't moved or been touched.

He will [never curse] again
He is making a mental commitment to change his behavior, possibly to stop being negative or to stop blaming others for his problems.

all the days on his home spent
He has been spending most of his time at home, perhaps feeling isolated, bored, or unfulfilled.

Nailing all the doors
He may be trying to prevent others from entering his space, or trying to reinforce the feeling of being safe and secure in his home.

& jumping through the window
This line isn't clear but could possibly suggest that he is willing to take risks and try new things, even if it means going against the norm or doing things unconventionally.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: RICHARD GREENTREE, ROBIN JONES, JOHN MACLEAN, STEPHEN MASON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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